LED Event 2018 highlighted the versatility of LED lighting

In Congrescentrum 1931, engineers, lighting designers, R&D managers and other technicians listened during the LED Event 2018 to a large number of appealing lectures. Topics discussed included LED applications in agricultural businesses and new glare concepts for LED luminaires.

Around 300 visitors to the trade fair came to Den Bosch to be updated on the latest developments in the LED world. One of the most visited lectures was that of 'light professor'. Prof. Ir. Wout van Bommel explained how matrix LEDs in certain luminaires can lead to glare. This cannot be predicted well with existing calculation models. Glare can be dangerous, but Van Bommel had good news: new, accurate models are coming. In the run-up to the LED Event, FHI already spoke with Van Bommel about his field of work.

LED has also become commonplace in the agricultural sector. However, when using LED lighting in stables, expertise comes into play. Jacques van der Windt, account manager at Agrilight, explained during his lecture how the requirements for LED luminaires for cows are very different from the lamps needed in a chicken coop. Also with Van der Windt spoke to FHI earlier.

Light management

Hannes Wagner of OSRAM Digital gave his audience more insight into the possibilities of modern light management systems. Because light can indeed be made 'intelligent', for example by providing it with sensors. Possible applications are asset tracking, light as a service and space management, Wagner outlined. New DALI standards from the DiiA (Digital Illumination Interface Alliance) were also discussed to be able to use these new possibilities.

Zhelio Andreev, product manager Optoelectronics at Würth Elektronik, told a story about power LEDs and horticulture LEDs. Power LEDs are used in night vision or as a UV source for forensic purposes. For applications in agriculture, Andreev outlined the boundary conditions for the so-called horticulture LEDs. Every plant needs its own 'light recipe' to grow well. A young plant without roots has a strong preference for more blue light, while a plant with roots must mainly receive red light. Special software for controlling the required multichannel LEDs can help with this.

Smarter lighting

The IP protocol forms the basis for more and more applications – whether or not via the internet – especially because it also forms a universal protocol for IoT applications. This also applies to controlling smart lighting, said Volkert Barthr of Tridonics. He provided insight into self-healing networks and the possibilities of working with timers and light themes. According to Barthr, such lighting systems ensure lower operational costs and administrators can monitor everything in detail via extensive dashboards.

Rob van Osch van Heynen gave a lecture on how light can be functionally incorporated into an industrial design. Because light can influence people in many ways. For example, a traffic light provides information to a road user, but light can also influence the mood of an end user when using a certain product. Van Osch gave his audience a number of examples of how industrial designers can use light intelligently, including by looking closely at the required components, such as a diffuser, and thinking carefully about which luminance is required for certain applications.

During the LED Event 2018, numerous topics were discussed in lectures in which the versatility of LED lighting was discussed. The technical aspects were also discussed extensively, including at the 30 stands that could be found in the central hall of Congrescentrum 1931. During the closing drinks, some visitors already discussed which topics would be on the agenda in 2019.